Special Chronicles Podcast
Disabled Voices Matter! As an award-winning intellectual disability advocate and host of the Special Chronicles Podcast, Daniel Smrokowski tells special needs stories from an insider’s perspective. “PodmanDan” is himself a person with special needs. As your weekly guide to finding joy and acceptance, Special Chronicles offers entertaining and informational disability conversations.
Episodes
July 2, 2026 • 31 mins
On this episode of LIVE From Special Olympics 2026 USA Games: A Special Chronicles Podcast Series, host and Health Messenger Daniel Smrokowski is podcasting location at the University of Minnesota for the official Healthy Athletes Ribbon Cutting Ceremony.
Tune in as Daniel co‑emcees this event alongside fellow Health Messenger Kayte Barton, as they welcome leaders from the University of Minnesota, United Healthcare, and Special Ol...
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On this heartfelt episode of Road to Special Olympics 2026 USA Games: A Special Chronicles Podcast Series, host Daniel Smrokowski welcomes Cathy O’Neill, whose daughter Katie will compete in Gymnastics for Team Illinois at the 2026 USA Games. Cathy shares what it means to be part of her athlete’s support system, how her family prepares for the excitement of Minnesota hosting the Games, and the emotional moments that hav...
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June 26, 2026 • 32 mins
On this episode of Road to Special Olympics 2026 USA Games: A Special Chronicles Podcast Series, host Daniel Smrokowski spotlights the essential behind‑the‑scenes work that brings the Special Olympics movement to life. We sit down with Katelin Zandi, a dedicated Team Illinois staff member whose communications work helps shape how athletes, families, and fans experience the 2026 USA Games.
Katelin shares how she uses storytelling, ...
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June 25, 2026 • 26 mins
On this episode of Road to Special Olympics 2026 USA Games: A Special Chronicles Podcast Series, host Daniel Smrokowski sits down with Coach Matt Corso, Head Coach for Team Illinois Bowling, to explore the deep impact coaches have on athletes preparing for the 2026 USA Games. Matt opens up about his coaching philosophy, the intentional preparation that goes into a national competition, and how he recognizes when an athlete needs ex...
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June 24, 2026 • 39 mins
On this episode of “Road to Special Olympics 2026 USA Games: a Special Chronicles Podcast Series,” we spotlight a groundbreaking moment in USA Games history: the debut of Unified Cornhole. Representing Special Olympics Rhode Island, Unified partner Sharon Laliberte shares what it means to compete in a sport built on teamwork, trust, and inclusion.
Sharon reflects on the power of Unified Sports, the friendships formed th...
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June 23, 2026 • 19 mins
On this episode of “Road to Special Olympics 2026 USA Games: a Special Chronicles Podcast Series,” we return to the water with Amanda Propheter, a swimmer whose positivity and drive ripple through every practice. Amanda talks about the support system that lifts her up, the challenges she’s faced along the way, and the belief — in herself and from others — that fuels her journey to the USA Games.
Her en...
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June 22, 2026 • 53 mins
In this episode, Daniel sits down with Coach Erin, athlete Libby Cheney, and unified partner Marian Lynch from Special Olympics Mississippi Interscholastic Division of Competitive Cheer team. Together, we share how Unified Cheer builds confidence, teamwork, leadership, and lifelong friendships. You’ll hear how inclusion comes alive in their school community, what it takes to prepare for competition, and what representing Okla...
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June 21, 2026 • 40 mins
On this episode of Road to Special Olympics 2026 USA Games: A Special Chronicles Podcast Series, Podcast Host Daniel Smrokowski sits down with Coach Christina Gould from the Special Olympics Oklahoma Interscholastic Division of Competitive Cheer team.
Together, we share how Unified Cheer builds confidence, teamwork, leadership, and lifelong friendships. You’ll hear how inclusion comes alive in their school community, what it...
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June 20, 2026 • 10 mins
On this episode of “Road to Special Olympics 2026 USA Games: a Special Chronicles Podcast Series,” we dive into the pool with Team Illinois swimmer Val Densler, whose determination is as strong as her stroke. In this conversation, Val opens up about her training routine, the challenges she’s overcome, and the motivation that keeps her pushing toward Minnesota. Her story is a powerful reminder that every lap, every...
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June 19, 2026 • 19 mins
On this episode of “Road to Special Olympics 2026 USA Games: a Special Chronicles Podcast Series,” we flip over to the gymnastics floor with Katie O’Neill, a Team Illinois athlete whose strength, grace, and discipline shine through every routine. Katie shares how she prepares mentally and physically for competition, the setbacks that have shaped her resilience, and the goals she’s aiming for as she heads to ...
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June 18, 2026 • 122 mins
On episode 4 of Road to Special Olympics USA Games: A Special Chronicles Podcast Series, we dive into the heart of what powers every Special Olympics athlete: their support system. From coaches who guide athletes toward the national stage to families who cheer through every high and low, this episode highlights the people who make the journey possible.
You’ll hear from Coach Matt Corso of Team Illinois Bowling and family me...
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June 17, 2026 • 97 mins
On episode 3 of Road to Special Olympics USA Games: A Special Chronicles Podcast Series, “The Athletes Journey” we explore what it truly takes for Special Olympics athletes to prepare for the 2026 USA Games.
Join Daniel Smrokowski, Podcast Host, Special Olympics Illinois Athlete Leader and former Sargent Shriver Global Messenger, as he talks with athletes about their stories of motivation, training routines, overcomin...
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June 16, 2026 • 56 mins
On this Episode 2 of Road to Special Olympics 2026 USA Games: A Special Chronicles Podcast Series, we take you behind the scenes with two incredible athlete leaders — David Booth and Shaun Linsey, co-chairs of the Athlete Advisory Council for the 2026 USA Games.
Hosted by Daniel Smrokowski — founder of Special Chronicles, Special Olympics Athlete Leader with Team Illinois, and former Sargent Shriver Global Messenger &md...
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June 15, 2026 • 63 mins
Episode 1 of Road to Special Olympics USA Games: a Special Chronicles Podcast Series kicks off our journey to the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games by answering the essential question: What are the USA Games?
On this premiere episode, host Daniel Smrokowski is joined today with someone who has been involved with the USA Games since the beginning and helped get these USA National Games started— Greg Epperson, President and Manag...
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June 14, 2026 • 38 mins
A cozy patio‑side catch‑up from Forest Park. Georgia celebrates her 6‑year Triton College graduation anniversary and 5-year independent living anniversary, Daniel shares updates from his Special Oympics Health presentation, and together they recap a full Memorial Day Weekend of faith, family, coffee, and game nights. Plus: Star Wars rewatches, The Mentalist, The Breadwinner, and Daniel’s upcoming Road to USA Games 2026 work t...
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Ranked #1 for “USA Games” in search results, this landmark 10‑part narrative series from Special Chronicles follows the journey to, through, and beyond the 2026 USA Games in Minneapolis–St. Paul.
Through immersive storytelling, on‑site sound, and firsthand voices from athletes, families, coaches, organizers, and Unified partners, the series brings listeners into the heart of the movement.
Three Acts
• Act 1: The...
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On this episode of the Special Chronicles Podcast’s EnergyForce Series (Season 9, Episode 3), host Daniel Smrokowski sits down with Kara Schwer, Manager of Marketing & Customer Education at ComEd, for an energizing conversation about the fast‑growing world of Electric Vehicles (EVs) and the future of clean transportation.
Together, they break down how EVs work, why they matter, and the innovative ways ComEd is helping cu...
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May 25, 2026 • 56 mins
On this special episode of the Special Chronicles Podcast, released in honor of World Accessibility Day on May 21, 2026, host Daniel Smrokowski presents a compelling conversation recorded live at the VMS Professionals 2023 Conference.
Daniel sits down with Captain Jill Mills of United Airlines for an in‑depth discussion on what true accessibility and inclusion look like in practice. Together, they trace the growing momentum of the...
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On this Mental Health Awareness Month episode on the Special Chronicles Podcast, host Daniel Smrokowski welcomes listeners to our 3‑part mental health series, featuring weekly encore conversations designed to empower audiences with firsthand resources, real stories, and practical tools to support emotional well‑being.
In this episode, Daniel is joined by Brianna Kaplan, a Chicago‑based United Airlines Flight Attendant. Brianna appe...
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May 16, 2026 • 60 mins
A full day in downtown Chicago — from Metra to Switch on Summer 2026, where Daniel worked as a ComEd EnergyForce Ambassador, to walking 15,000+ steps along the Riverwalk. We share event highlights, accessibility wins, lunch with Daniel’s dad, and what we’re watching this month: Star Wars Episode I — The Phantom Menace and The Mentalist (S2:E6–7). Plus, Daniel’s latest talk at The Arc of Illinois ...
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